1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport Coupe

Description

The ultimate development of Porsche’s long-running 924/944 series, the 968 was launched in August 1991 and built alongside the 928 in both coupe and cabriolet variants entirely in-house at the Zuffenhausen factory.  Using an updated version of the 944’s platform, the 968 was powered by a sophisticated new Variocam engine, the big four pot unit displacing just under 3-litres, developing a healthy output of 240 brake horsepower and 305 Nm of torque.  Mated to either a six-speed Getrag manual transmission or the Bosch developed Tiptronic five-speed automatic, the all-alloy motor boasted twin overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and the Variocam regulating the inlet valve timing via an electro-hydraulic system.  Other features included power-assisted ZF rack-and-pinion steering, ABS brakes as standard and revised suspension, while the 968’s bodywork was a blend of contemporary Porsche design language.  Mid-way through the 1993 model year Porsche announced a hard-core lightweight 968 variant known as the Club Sport, a weight saving of 50 kilograms achieved by deleting the air conditioning (in some markets), sun roof, electric windows, rear seats and more.  The standard Porsche front seats were replaced by fixed Recaros, along with colour-coded alloy wheels and special Club Sport badging.  Porsche offered the M030 Sport package for the more competition-biased driver, adding a Torsen mechanically locking diff, bigger 17-inch rims, bigger brakes, heavy-duty front springs, a thicker anti-roll bar and special Koni shock absorbers.  Regarded as one of the best handling sports cars of the day, the 968 Club Sport was sold in limited numbers, with only 1,743 built for all markets and five colours were available; black, Guards Red, Maritime Blue, Grand Prix White and Speed Yellow.  The Club Sport has always enjoyed a loyal following with Porsche aficionados and is now increasingly sought after by collectors who appreciate the many virtues of the ultimate front-engined model to emerge from Zuffenhausen.